There Is a New Animal in Silicon Valley

There is a new animal in Silicon Valley. And it is nothing like the unicorns you have read about in the past. This new beast is not quite as flashy. It moves a little slower than its spiral-horned counterpart — the one who galloped to ridiculous valuations at breakneck speed. And you probably will not see this new creature in the news. Why?

Because the new animal in Silicon Valley is not the mythical, headline-making kind. It is more old-fashioned — a workhorse. And its natural behavior surprises some people.

No chasing money, no endless coffee dates with VCs, and no board of director meetings that consume a week of preparation every month.

And yet, this workhorse is trotting its way to enormous success. Sounds just as magical as a unicorn, right? Well truthfully, the workhorse may come across as a bit boring at times. It does not hold the same allure as its sparkly, make-believe cousins.

Perhaps because it is pursuing answers to really simple questions, such as, “What do our customers really need? How can our product make our customers’ lives easier?”

The workhorse pursues profitability fast so it can fund the business. But because it is not wasting time chasing gobs of investor money or managing board perceptions, it decides its own goals. It holds true to its own vision. And the more customer love it earns, the stronger it becomes.

It is also disciplined in how it spends every single dollar. (No steak and lobster dinners for this creature. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich will do.)

Do not be fooled by hype and empty promises — the myth of the unicorn is fading.

This is why, if you are building products or a company, I encourage you to try something old that is new again — working hard and growing your company purposefully. I share the tools for how to build this kind of lasting business in Lovability, my bestselling new book for product and company builders.

What kind of company do you want to build — one based in myth or in reality?

I know that the unicorn is flashy and can lure you in with the hopes of quick money. But you can choose to revere another animal — familiar, honest, and lasting. And there is nothing mythical about that.

About Brian and Aha!

Brian seeks business and wilderness adventure. He is the co-founder and CEO of Aha! — the world’s #1 product roadmap software — and the author of Lovability. His two previous startups were acquired by well-known public companies. Brian writes and speaks about product and company growth and the adventure of living a meaningful life.

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